The proposal asks big businesses that win contracts for city projects to break part of the job down and share it with a smaller business. It also requires those businesses to give progress reports and reach certain benchmarks and goals.

Councilman Ben Gray said he can get behind the idea, which is why he sent a letter to Stothert, asking to call a truce. He said he wants to work together for the greater good of the city.

"I thought it was important to reach out and see if we can't first have a meeting to clear the air," Gray said. "Then, secondly to talk about what the measurables and goals and benchmarks need to look like."

"It's time to move on," Stothert said. "I feel like I owe the taxpayers and owe those businesses that benefit from these programs. I owe them to do something better than we've been doing. To help them to be successful, that's what we want to do. We have to have everybody's support to move forward."

The final strategic plan for economic inclusion will be presented later this month.